In my role as a Young Ambassador, I wish for every young person to have enough knowledge and understanding of this evil disease

Olivia

Young Ambassador

Hi, I’m Livvy. My meningitis story begins with my nephew Jack, now aged 8. When Jack was two years old, he became extremely pale and weak after he had been unwell at a children’s party a few hours previous.

My brother Gareth and his wife become extremely concerned and Jack was rushed to hospital. It was when the doctors examined Jack that his first septicaemia spot appeared just under his nappy.

The doctors and nurses became extremely concerned as they knew that time was against them. Luckily for Jack, it was the changeover of shift at the hospital so he had twice the expertise at his side. My brother and his wife Hayley were told an hour earlier he would have been sent home with a standard virus and hour later we may not have had him.

Jack is left with a small scar under his arm where one of the septicaemia spots had to be removed, other than that he really is a lucky boy to have his fingers, toes, arms, legs and of course his life! Jack is a big football supporter and thankfully he can play for his team every week, as a lot of young boys who have suffered with meningitis are not that fortunate!

Jack was allowed home on Christmas Eve 2007 and then had to return to hospital on Boxing Day. That is one Christmas we never wish to see again! I was aged 14 when Jack contracted this awful disease, I had never heard of meningitis before and had to rely on Google to understand – this is when I contacted Meningitis Now via their website as I didn’t know what meningitis was.

Meningitis Now are a fantastic bunch of people, who I am truly honoured to be a part of. Myself, Jack’s parents and family and also even Jack knows Meningitis Now are always there to help.

In my role as a Young Ambassador, I wish for every young person to have enough knowledge and understanding of this evil disease - I wish to insure that every child and adult is as lucky as my amazing nephew! I have met some amazing people while being a Young Ambassador - my fellow Young Ambassadors and the staff at Meningitis Now are incredible people!

I’ve been so lucky with the opportunities given to me with this. I mean, how many 19 year olds can say they’ve done a speech at the Houses of Parliament in front of 40+ MPs and big named celebrities?!

I hold events in my local area - anything from a cake stall to a ladies night. We often go out in fancy dress to raise funds and I also like to do bag packing in local supermarkets!

Words can't describe the worry and panic my family went through with meningitis, I wish for no-one else to have to suffer this. We will continue the fight against meningitis!